What are "human values"?

Human values are the virtues that guide us to

take into account the human element when
one interacts with other human beings. They
are the many positive dispositions that create
bonds of humanity between people and thus
have value for all of us as human beings. They
are our strong positive feelings for the human
essence of the other. Its both what we expect
others to do to us and what we aim to give to
other human beings ("Do unto the other what
you wish for yourself"). These human values
have the effect of bonding, comforting,
reassuring and procuring serenity.
Human values are the foundation for any viable
life within society: they build space for a drive,
a movement towards one another, which leads
to peace.
Human values thus defined are universal:
they are shared by all human beings, whatever
their religion, their nationality, their culture,
their personal history. By nature, they induce
consideration for others.
Human values are, for example:

civility, respect, consideration;

honesty, fairness, loyalty, sharing,

solidarity;

openness, listening, welcoming,

acceptance, recognition, appreciation;

brotherhood, friendship, empathy,

compassion, love.

Respect is one of the most important human

value for establishing relations of peace - and
yet it remains elusive: its understanding varies
according to age (child, teen,adult), to one's
education and surrounding culture. It is better
understood when combined with other values:
a disposition that is deeper than civility, very
close to consideration, and
approachingappreciation. Indeed, to respect
someone, one must be able to appreciate some
of his/her human qualities, even if one does not
appreciate his/her opinions or past behaviour.
What is the difference between human
values, "ethical" values and "moral"
values?
Values that are said to be "ethical" are those
that command respectful behavior toward

others, that is, towards other human beings,

without harming them. These can be applied to
animal and plant life as well.
"Moral" values are in fact the same, but today,
"moralising" rhetoric is not well received. For
this reason, some people refer to "ethical
values". However, most people seem more
interested yet in "human values". These are
seen as much more positive, perhaps because
we feel directly concerned: we ourselves have
a strong desire to have others be "human" to
us.
These human, ethical and moral values
are universal values, felt deep down inside
each of us (our consciousness). They are also
expressed formally in laws, constitutions and
various international texts (Declarations,
Conventions, etc..) asserting Human Rights.
The recognition of these universal values by
many countries in the world is the first step
toward their implementation, calling for
everyone to respect them. These texts aim in
the first place at guaranteeing the integrity
(both physical and psychological) of every
human being, precisely because he/she is
human: each person holds the right not to be
abused, whatever form those abuses may take.

But the ultimate goal is to promote a positive

and concrete practice (attitudes, behaviours
and acts) establishing those human universal
values as the basis of human relationships, in a
spirit of reciprocity and mutual respect of those
values.
Human values inspire us to better put into
practice our moral values, especially in conflict
situations, when we tend to put them aside
and become confrontational.
Human values and peace
Its by making ones own these human values
that we can better feel, keep in mind,
appreciate and especially value the importance
of connection between human beings. Its then
easier to respect the physical or psychological
integrity of the other, and to stop oneself from
getting carried away by feelings and reactions
that could cause injury. By realising our
likeness in terms of humanness, I can wish him
well, I can wish he lives in peace with himself
and with others.
Putting into practice our human values helps us
have a contributing attitude towards peace.
Human values are thus an inspiration for
peace: by integrating them into our way of

managing human relations, they predispose

us to use a tool for peace: peace reflexes.
In the Ideas box in the left column, you will find
ideas, helpful information and activities to
increase and deepen your own ideas
concerning human values and to pass on these
values around you especially to children.